The dramatic transformation includes major upgrades to the overwater bungalows, now with sliding glass doors, giant soaking tubs, and expansive wood decks with catamaran nets perfect for midday naps. Also noteworthy: the resort’s two-story overwater villas, a major draw for families wanting extra room to spread out. When you’re not lounging in the sun or diving with the sharks and rays, taste your way through the hotel’s six restaurants, each with its own distinct theme. Expect an authentic culinary experience, be it Cantonese-inspired dishes at Banyan Chinese Restaurant or Tahitian classics at toes-in-the-sand Tamure Beach Grill (don’t miss the red-tuna ceviche or the weekly traditional Polynesian show at dinner). While most resorts are built on surrounding motus (islets) that face towering Mount Otemanu, Bora’s famed peak, Conrad is situated on the main island — making it the only place that gets completely unobstructed sunset views over the water.

　　Rooms from $700 per night. —Katie James Watkinson Advertisement 17 of 56 Set on a vineyard an hour south of Melbourne, Jackalope skips the rustic farmhouse wine-country look in favor of a design that trades in moody hues, clean lines, and whimsical details (see the 22-foot sculpture of a jackalope, a mythical rabbit with antlers, at the entrance). After settling into your artfully subdued room, take a seat at the restaurant to sample chef Guy Stanaway’s modern Australian tasting menu. Doubles from $509. —Carrie Hutchinson Advertisement 18 of 56 Sivan Askayo Santa Clara 1728 Lisbon Lisbon has seen a boom of hotel openings as of late, but the standout, by far, is this stunning six-suite property next to Feira da Ladra, the city’s famous flea market.

　　Hoteliers João and Andreia Rodrigues, who have several properties in Portugal, once again enlisted the help of top architect Manuel Aires Mateus; he in turn renovated this 18th-century stone building into a sleek B&B. The suites are a composition of rich natural surfaces such as local limestone and pine, and feature minimalist wooden furniture and luxe beds by Maxalto. (The bathtubs, carved out of one massive piece of limestone, are a marvel.) The Rodrigues live with their children on the top floor, so Santa Clara is also their home — which makes the atmosphere even more welcoming. In the ground floor dining room, guests gather around the custom 20-foot table for delicious three-course breakfasts that stretch on for hours. Doubles from $370. —Gisela Williams Advertisement 19 of 56 The Bulgari manages to take Dubai’s over-the-top ethos even farther over-the-top, adding an additional 1.4 million-square-foot of luxury to the metropolis.

　　The sprawling new complex — which houses 101 hotel rooms and suites, 20 beachside villas, 15 private mansions, a spa, hammam, beach club, and chocolate boutique — sits on a man-made, seahorse-shaped island constructed in the Persian Gulf, with Water Bottle Mould Manufacturers a marina for Dubai’s ever-growing population of superyachts. Inspired by lush Mediterranean gardens, with imported lemon, olive and palm trees dotting the property, the resort evokes Bulgari's modern Italian sensibility, drawing from classical design motifs and materials like Arabescato marble, polished woods, and rich textiles. The cuisine from Michelin-starred Italian chef Niko Romito at Il Ristorante is outstanding, too.